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The National Green Tribunal reviewed environmental management issues, including MoEF&CC's guidelines for protected areas and challenges in Ladakh's wildlife conservation
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has sought time to respond to the report of the J&KPCC that observed legacy waste mounting at Achan landfill
Concerns over inadequate waste management in Odisha were highlighted, with authorities given time to file detailed report
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) July 18, 2025 that guidelines have been issued to prepare a management plan for protected areas dated November 30, 2023.
The guidelines provide a holistic approach for better scientific planning of such areas and the counsel representing the ministry sought time to place on record the guidelines. Time was also sought to file a response on whether any new guidelines have been framed.
The matter is related to the protection of Ladakh sanctuary which is home to over 430 species of birds.
The Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (PCC), through an affidavit dated March 7, 2025, disclosed that there are two wildlife sanctuaries and one national park in Ladakh. The affidavit also mentioned the threats in conservation efforts like climate change, rapid population growth and developmental activities such as roads and infrastructure.
As per the stand of the Ladakh PCC, there is no scientific study on the impact of climate change on bird behaviour in Ladakh. The counsel for MoEF&CC has sought time to obtain instruction on the aspect of scientific study in Ladakh. The report of the Ladakh PCC also mentioned initiatives taken by the Department of Wildlife Protection.
Deputy Commissioner, Leh District Administrative Complex, Leh Ladakh was directed by the NGT to appear virtually on the next date of hearing (October 27, 2025) and assist the tribunal. The chief wildlife warden of Ladakh was directed to file a reply on the matter.
A report filed by the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (J&KPCC) to NGT July 18, 2025 showed that legacy waste at the Achan landfill is "still unprocessed and continues to accumulate”.
The site comprises three waste cells, the report stated. The first and third cell was found uncapped, with around 500 tonnes / day of waste being dumped. No segregation activity was observed at the site during the visit.
The effluent treatment plant for leachate management and the waste segregator were found to be defunct.
Around 30 rag pickers were seen working at the dumping area and it has been observed that rag pickers were picking manually recyclable materials such as plastic and discarded aluminium cans / tins.
As per inputs from the rag pickers, each individual collects around 30 kg of waste daily. The civil work of the extension part of the segregation shed has been completed. However, no functional machinery has been found installed yet. Only non-operational equipment was found at the site.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation has sought time to respond to the report of the J&KPCC.
The counsel for the applicant, Raja Muzaffar Bhat, submitted that the applicant has placed on record along with the rejoinder July 17, 2025 relevant material indicating the violation by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. The municipal corporation was given time by the court to respond to the rejoinder.
The matter related to illegal and unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste, bio-medical waste and plastic waste at the Achan landfill of district Srinagar.
The Additional Solicitor General (Supreme Court) assured NGT on July 18, 2025 that a fresh report on solid and liquid waste management in Odisha, with requisite information, would be filed before the court within four weeks. The tribunal will next hear the matter on September 25, 2025.
The National Green Tribunal criticised the report submitted on July 16, 2025, by Odisha's Chief Secretary. The bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Sudhir Agarwal said the report was short and did not give urban local bodies details of solid and liquid waste management, gaps existing therein and the steps taken to fill up the gaps.
Final summary: The National Green Tribunal addressed significant environmental management issues, focusing on the MoEF&CC's guidelines for protected areas and the challenges in Ladakh's wildlife conservation. Concerns were raised about unprocessed waste at the Achan landfill and inadequate waste management in Odisha. Authorities were given time to respond and improve strategies, with further hearings scheduled to ensure compliance and progress.